The Ruling on Shaking Hands with Non-Mahram Women and the Ruling on Criticizing Those Who Refrain from It
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There is a custom in our country of shaking hands with non-mahram women, such as a brother’s wife, an uncle’s wife, or a maternal uncle’s wife. This happens when a man returns from a trip or similar occasions, and it is common during the festivals. If a person refrains from doing this, they describe him as being strict and complicated, and perhaps arrogant as well. What is your opinion on this?
It is not permissible for a woman to shake hands except with her husband and her mahram relatives only. She does not shake hands with her husband’s brother, because he is not a mahram, nor with her maternal uncle’s son, nor with her paternal uncle’s son, nor with anyone else who is not among her mahram relatives. And if a person refrains from that, let him clarify that this is forbidden.And he says, to sweeten their hearts: Ask the scholars. If they refuse to ask the scholars and describe him as arrogant or something similar, let them describe him as they wish. As long as he is upon what pleases Allah, he does not care about anyone. Do you know what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was described as? The madman, the sorcerer, the poet, the soothsayer, the liar, and every description. Did this prevent him from speaking the truth? No.
Rather, this is what multiplies the reward for a person, where he is rewarded for leaving the forbidden from one angle, and for the harm that befalls him from another angle. And how great is the danger for those who harm those who hold fast to the religion.Because Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Ahzab: 58] .
Let them say what they wish, and the truth is victorious, even if it is in the long run.Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says in al-Nuniyyah:
And the truth is victorious and tested, so do not be amazed, for this is the way of the Most Merciful.
Therefore: Do not shake hands, and declare that this is forbidden.and say: O people! If you are in doubt, these scholars are with you.
It is not permissible for a woman to shake hands except with her husband and her mahram relatives only. She does not shake hands with her husband’s brother, because he is not a mahram, nor with her maternal uncle’s son, nor with her paternal uncle’s son, nor with anyone else who is not among her mahram relatives. And if a person refrains from that, let him clarify that this is forbidden.And he says, to sweeten their hearts: Ask the scholars. If they refuse to ask the scholars and describe him as arrogant or something similar, let them describe him as they wish. As long as he is upon what pleases Allah, he does not care about anyone. Do you know what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was described as? The madman, the sorcerer, the poet, the soothsayer, the liar, and every description. Did this prevent him from speaking the truth? No.
Rather, this is what multiplies the reward for a person, where he is rewarded for leaving the forbidden from one angle, and for the harm that befalls him from another angle. And how great is the danger for those who harm those who hold fast to the religion.Because Allah the Exalted says:
And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin.
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا اكْتَسَبُوا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلُوا بُهْتَاناً وَإِثْماً مُبِيناًLet them say what they wish, and the truth is victorious, even if it is in the long run.Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says in al-Nuniyyah:
And the truth is victorious and tested, so do not be amazed, for this is the way of the Most Merciful.
Therefore: Do not shake hands, and declare that this is forbidden.and say: O people! If you are in doubt, these scholars are with you.